Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) EPQ Foundations: Qualification Structure and Assessment Flashcards

24 sample cards from the EPQ Foundations: Qualification Structure and Assessment deck

Sampled from the end of the deck, so these are different cards from the ones shown on the syllabus page.

1. What is the role of the supervisor's feedback in relation to the student's marks?

   The supervisor may advise and guide but must not over-direct; the student must show independent decision-making, and the supervisor records evidence used to support the final mark.

2. What is the authentication declaration in the EPQ?

   A signed statement by both the student and the supervisor confirming that the work submitted is the student's own and produced without unfair assistance.

3. Why is academic integrity central to the EPQ, and what can a breach lead to?

   Because the qualification certifies independent work; plagiarism or unauthenticated work constitutes malpractice and can lead to loss of marks or disqualification.

4. Who signs the authentication statements for an EPQ submission?

   Both the candidate (confirming the work is their own) and the supervisor/centre (confirming they believe it is the candidate's own work).

5. How is the EPQ assessed at the first stage (within the school/college)?

   It is internally assessed (marked) by the centre's assessors/supervisors against the awarding body's published marking criteria.

6. What is the second stage of EPQ assessment after internal marking?

   External moderation by the awarding body, which checks the centre's marking for accuracy and consistency.

7. What is the purpose of external moderation in the EPQ?

   To verify that the centre has applied the marking criteria correctly and consistently, ensuring standards are comparable across all centres nationally.

8. During moderation, what can the awarding body do to a centre's marks?

   It can confirm the marks or adjust (scale) the centre's marks up or down to bring them in line with the national standard.

9. What grading scale is used to report EPQ outcomes?

   The A-level grading scale: grades A* down to E are passing grades, with U (Unclassified) as a fail.

10. What is the highest grade achievable in the EPQ, and what is the fail grade called?

    The highest grade is A*; the fail/ungraded outcome is U (Unclassified).

11. How many UCAS tariff points does an EPQ contribute compared with an A-level, for grade A?

    An EPQ at grade A gives 28 UCAS points, half the 56 points an A-level grade A gives, reflecting that the EPQ is half the size of an A-level.

12. Why is the EPQ valued by universities despite being half the size of an A-level?

    It evidences independent research, self-management and extended writing/project skills directly relevant to higher-education study, and can attract reduced or alternative offers.

13. What are 'entry windows' in the context of the EPQ?

    The periods set by the awarding body during which centres must register and enter candidates for the qualification ahead of certification.

14. When is the EPQ typically certificated within the academic year?

    There is usually one main certification series, with results issued in the summer (August) alongside A-level results.

15. What is the consequence of missing the internal submission deadline set by the centre?

    The student risks not having work moderated in the series, which can mean no grade is awarded for that session.

16. Compare the dissertation and artefact EPQ formats in terms of the written component.

    The dissertation IS the written outcome (~5,000 words), whereas the artefact's main outcome is the product, supported by a shorter report (~1,000 words).

17. Compare guided learning hours with independent study hours in the EPQ's 120-hour model.

    Guided learning is about 30 hours (taught/supervised), while independent study is about 90 hours; together they make up the roughly 120 notional learning hours.

18. What distinguishes the 'investigation/field study' format from a dissertation?

    The investigation involves gathering primary or empirical data (e.g. fieldwork, experiments, surveys) reported with analysis, whereas a dissertation is primarily a research-based extended essay using secondary sources.

19. What is the difference between internal assessment and external moderation in the EPQ?

    Internal assessment is the centre marking the work; external moderation is the awarding body checking and standardising that marking, but the awarding body does not re-mark every project.

20. In what format may the EPQ outcome and conclusions (AO4) be communicated?

    In an appropriate format such as a written report, a presentation, or a viva/oral presentation to the supervisor and audience, depending on the project type.

21. What must a student do at the project-proposal stage to satisfy AO1?

    Define a clear title/question, set out aims and objectives, justify the choice, plan resources and timescales, and gain supervisor approval before proceeding.

22. Why must information in AO2 be evaluated rather than merely collected?

    AO2 rewards critical selection and analysis of sources, assessing their reliability, relevance and validity, not just the act of gathering material.

23. What role does the final presentation play in the EPQ?

    It is a required element of the review stage where the student communicates their findings/outcome and reflects on the process, contributing evidence for AO4.

24. Summarise the overall EPQ process from start to certification.

    Choose a topic and format, complete a taught skills programme, plan and gain approval (AO1), research and use resources (AO2), develop and realise the outcome (AO3), review and present (AO4), complete the Production Log with authentication, then internal marking followed by external moderation and grading on the A*–U scale.

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EPQ Foundations: Qualification Structure and Assessment flashcards FAQ